2015 Summer Universiade: Canada moves on to the semis with 7-5 win over Hungary

GWANGJU, South Korea (Team Canada) – A standout defensive performance in the first half led Canada to a 7-5 win over Hungary in the women's water polo quarterfinal round. The victory advances the Red and White to the semi-finals on Saturday, July 11 at 7 p.m.

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Team Canada website: http://english.cis-sic.ca/universiade/summer/2015/index

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Goalkeeper Nicola Colterjohn of Hamilton, Ont. made ten saves on 15 Hungarian shots throughout the game and had Hungary blanked at halftime. Canada clamped down when they were a player short, allowing only one goal while on exclusion.

"We took control of the match during the beginning of the game since we had many opportunities on offence. We were able to play at our rhythm and the girls executed very well," said David Paradello (Montreal, Que.), whose squad is undefeated in the tournament.

Leading 2-0, a Canadian time out with 18 seconds remaining in the first half paid off when Kyra Christmas (High River, Alta.) skipped a long shot into the net. Sarah Myers (Toronto, Ont.) showed Canada's speed with a breakaway goal at 6:31 of the third period before Hungary broke through with a goal at 5:21.

Christmas replied on the power play to regain a four-point cushion. The goal would loom large when Hungary came back with two straight to make it 5-3 before the end of the third.

Kelly McKee (Calgary, Alta.) put Canada up 6-3 and the teams traded two more goals in the fourth before Canada was able to hold on for a 7-5 win.

"The team is growing together," said Paradello. "We still have tweaks to do but this is pretty much how we should be playing for the rest of the tournament."

Source: CIS